How to make a room divider

DIY, Organization

Looking for way to divide up a large room? You can easily make a temporary room divider with bookcases! I did this to separate my home office from the rest of my living room but it’s also a great way to create separate rooms in a studio apartment. The bookcases give me lots of storage for my office but it’s hidden from the rest of the apartment and the shelves on top are perfect to visually separate the office without making it feel closed in.

22 Comments

  1. Chantal

    Bonjour! This project was a big one, and a very nice one. Really like the double frame idea. It must be hard to assemble all this in your appartment…
    Goog job! A la prochaine!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Bonjour! Thank you! Yes, it was one of my bigger projects but it wasn’t too bad to assemble in my apartment. The biggest challenge is keeping the dust in check! A la prochaine!

      Reply
  2. Maria

    Hi Isabelle,

    I came across your show on YouTube a few days ago, and I love it! We just moved into a 1 bedroom apartment, and your show is exactly what I was looking for in terms of inspiration and DIY projects. Thank you so much for sharing all your tips and inspiration. You make difficult appearing projects seem easy 🙂 I plan on making this room divider for my office (We have a large open concept living room which needs to be divided into an office and dining room). Cheers!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you so much Maria, I’m so happy to hear my ideas will be helpful in your new apartment. I hope you’ll share the pics of your room divider, I would love to see it!

      Reply
  3. French Twist

    That is absolutely BRILLIANT! I love that piece much more than the entry way you did in your Manhattan apartment. This allows the light to go through and gives an illusion of added space, even though you just divided the space. Love it!!!! I might use this idea to do a divider between my kitchen and the rest of the studio. Thanks very much for all your tips, Isabelle. Your Facebook friend, FT

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Hi French Twist! So nice to see your comment here. Glad to hear you like this one – I love how it turned out, and like you said, it doesn’t close off the space at all, even though it divides it. I would love to see some pics if you end up doing it in your apartment! I’m happy to share my projects and thank you for all your support and encouragement 🙂 Isabelle

      Reply
  4. Ofelia

    This is awesome. Not available at my apartment but inspiring!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Sophia

    You are inspiring and your show is better than watching HGTV!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you so much Sophia!! So glad to hear you enjoy watching my show!

      Reply
  6. Jules

    Ive loved your channel for ages. I introduced a friend to it and shes made a ton of your projects.I on the other hand haven’t been able to. Your apartment seems so huge.Although my place isnt tiny,it’s fairly small,nothing works in my place.I have project envy.I live in a rental,it has odd angles and a radiator thats runs along the wall.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Hi Jules, Thank you so much! Living small is challenging for sure and hopefully some of my future projects will work for you!

      Reply
  7. Heather Bergman

    These are BRILLIANT! I have pinned AND saved the link to this page, thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Isabelle LaRue

      Great!

      Reply
  8. Philoxena

    Hi, Isabelle, I just moved into a studio apartment and I came across your video. It gives me a big bust to wanna make my little space more inspiring. I would like to know where to find that gorgeous wall paper you placed over the plywood. I’m trying to look up material on IKEA to get my project rolling :). Also, what are the measurements for the top shelf? Thx!

    Reply
    • Isabelle LaRue

      That’s great to hear Philoxena! I didn’t purchase the wallpaper – a friend gave me her leftover wallpaper from her house renovation and she didn’t know where her designer got it from. I recommend taking your own measurements once you have the bookcases attached together as it can vary enough to make a difference.

      Reply
  9. Brenda

    Isabelle!!!
    OMG wow just WOW x a zillion. YOU ARE WHAT LA has been missing for us small apartment and condo living peeps!!!! I am so thrilled to have found your channel and THIS room/office divider! This is EXACTLY what I need since merging my office into my home (ouch)…and watching you gives me such inspiration and confidence that I can do it! You are truly a huge positive inspiration to all! Can’t wait to see you tackle more and more small apartment spaces! Keep it up for the ladies!!!! Go GIRL! 🙂 Brenda

    Reply
    • Isabelle LaRue

      You don’t know how happy I am to hear that Brenda!!! So glad my idea sparked something for you and if I can do it, so can you! Btw, I took a peek at your site and you could teach me a thing or two, amazing work!! Isabelle

      Reply
  10. Ashley

    Full instructions?

    Reply
    • Isabelle LaRue

      All the steps are in the video.

      Reply
  11. Alison Foley

    This is amazing! I have looked EVERYWHERE for a room divider tutorial that actually looks nice and also is safe enough to not fall over since I can be quite clumsy. This is AWESOME – and your picture frame and driftwood designs are beautiful and so creative! THANK YOU! Your website is fantastic!!!

    Reply
    • Isabelle LaRue

      You’re welcome Alison!! So glad my idea will be useful for you!!

      Reply

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